Just Good Friends?

Chapter 9 - Secrets

Bex

A week after the party, I manage to get Joe alone in the house. Nobody else is here. Oscar was looking after his younger sister, Ems was at cheerleader practice along with the other girls, and I had no idea where the guys were.

I found Joe in the den sprawled across the sofa watching football.

"Move over asshole" I grab his feet, sit down and pop them back on my lap. He doesn't even look at me, he knows I'm going to bawl him out.

"What's going on"? He doesn't say anything for a minute, then he just blurts out...

"He just left, left you, me, it was a s**t time for us and he wasn't here. He's meant to be your best mate, but he wasn't here the time you, we, really needed him. Now he just walks back in to our lives like it's all good!?" Joe is really pissed at Mike. I get it, but Mike had no choice, he had to go with his Dad.

"He had no choice Joe, his Dad bawled him out. He was on the phone every day for a year, making sure we were both OK. If there had been any incident, he would of been here in a shot and you know it. He's here now because he made sure his Dad knew that there was no other option but to come back this year. Don't get hung up on it ok, I know he's my best mate, but you two were really close before he left too"

"Yeah, I know. Can his dad make him go again?" Joe looks so young right now... he hasn't looked young since he was 14!

"No, he can't. Mike has a deal with him, he kept his side, his dad has no option but to keep his. Mike's got a home with his Mum, and he has his room here too, so there's no issues. Now let's watch this and go grab us a beer" I push his legs off me and he jumps up and heads to the kitchen.

When he comes back, we settle in to a more comfortable silence. He seems much calmer now that we've got that sorted out.

We end up having the whole night to ourselves and it's nice. We don't get much sibling time alone, so we tend to make the most of it when we do. We made food together, found a movie to watch, and had popcorn and beers. I have no idea when I fell asleep, but Joe must of covered us both with a blanket, as I woke up around 5am and we were both still on the sofa. Joe was snoring softly and looked so peaceful. I closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

....

"Wake up lazy" I open one eye and see Joe standing over me holding out a steaming cup of coffee to me.

"What time is it?" I ask, stretching my arms above my head.

"6.45, you need to get up and shower and make yourself beautiful sis" I sit up and take the coffee off him. I had a really good sleep considering I slept on the sofa with my brother.

"Yeah, I'll take this up with me. You look happier" it was a statement rather than a question.

"Yeah, thanks for last night Bex, I needed a bit of straight talking. I've messaged Mike, I'm picking him up this morning so you don't need to ok. I'll sort it out with him before school" I smile and leave him whilst I go and shower. Half an hour later, I'm back in the kitchen and Joe places a protein shake infront of me.

"You training today"? He looks at me with narrowed eyes.

"Yes I am, and don't look at me like that, you are just as bad as me at the moment. We'll be fine in a few weeks and we can get back to normal. Let's just do what we need to do to get through this ok" I grab my bag that I dropped on the floor and look to check I have everything. I'll be heading to my first lesson which is Sociology, then I'll be hitting the Athletics track. I don't need to go to my next 2 lessons so I'll get 2 hours of training in before lunch.

We both head out of the house at the same time and go to our separate cars. Dad is just arriving back off a run as I start the engine.

"Hey dad, how was the run"? I ask, winding down the window. He leans in and pecks me on the cheek.

"Good love, I'm taking it easy for a bit though as my knee is giving me a bit of trouble"

"Well take some time out this morning ok. See you later, love you" I turn the car down the drive and head off to school.

When I arrive, I decide to park in the car park behind the school. It's quieter there, and I can't be bothered with the attention... and there's always attention.

As I push through the doors, I notice everyone's looking towards the other end of the hallway, that means I can hopefully get to my locker without having to acknowledge anyone. I know there's only one reason they're looking that way, well two actually, Joe and Mike must have arrived. I have to admit, they do make for a very good distraction for everyone.

I get to my locker and start putting my stuff in that I don't need, then I get arms draped over my shoulders from behind.

"What's up babygirl" Mike turns me around "Wheres Oscar?" He looks around for him.

"He was getting a lift in with Cal today. See you've made your grand entrance back to school" I say as I see girls drooling and boys envious looks.

"You know it babygirl. Anyway, it looks like I'm in most of your classes, so lead the way" he keeps one arm draped over my shoulder as we walk down the hall, mindless easy chat between us as we laugh together. But I am very aware of eyes staring at us from every direction as we walk.

.......

Mike

This girl has no idea how I feel about her. I am so in love with her, it hurts like hell seeing her with Oscar. I like the guy, but I'm so f*****g jealous of him. And it really kills me having to put on this big act of not wanting more. When I joke around about trying to get her in the past, I'm not joking, I just make it out like I am. I'd never ever come between them, they are good together, and she's my best mate, but it doesn't stop me wishing it was me. I told her the other week that I loved Dee, I don't, I do like her, but she's not Bex, I love Bex.

"Earth to Mike, where the hell did you just go"? Bex is waving her hands infront of my face. Some how we're standing outside a classroom.

"Dreaming about you babygirl, and how I can steal you off Oscar" I put on the joker charmer act like it's a mask, I'm finding that easier to do by the day.

"i***t, come on" she shakes her head laughing and drags me inside the class by the hand. It sends little shocks up my arm and it tingles for a while after she let's my hand go.

"What lesson is this"? I ask her to try and focus on anything else but her.

"Sociology, take my book and have a quick read to see where we're at. It's sport after this, but I'm not heading down with the other girls, I'll be heading down the track to get some training in"

I'm staring at her as she's flicking through her notes, she's totally oblivious.

"OK, I'll head down the gym then and see what coach wants me to do. But we'll meet up at lunch right?"

"Yeah, I'll come find you" she gives me that winner of a smile, and I break inside.

....

"Mike, great to have you back son. With you, Joe, Harry, Nate, Cal and Oscar on the field, we will be champions this year" coach is beaming.

"Looking forward to getting back with the guys coach"

"Right let's go. We're heading down to the field by the track today" coach started heading out.

"Wheres Oscar, shouldn't he be here"? I ask Harry.

"Don't know, he said he was getting a lift in with Cal today, but Cal said he cancelled and would see us later" Harry seems a bit preoccupied.

"Thats strange" weird that he hasn't turned up.

....

We get to the field and I notice Bex sprinting down the track. f**k she's looking strong... and hot, really hot. I motion to coach that I'm going over to see her a minute.

"Don't take all day, we've got work to do"

Joe looks over at me as I head over to the track, but I pretend not to see him.

I stand a bit back from the finish point and watch her coming towards me. She crosses the line pushes something on her watch, and then starts to slow as she runs in to my arms, as I lift her she looks so happy.

"What's the deal Bex?"

"Just smashing my PB's baby!" She's practically bouncing. I put her back down on the ground and ask,

"What are you aiming for, there's definitely more to it, I know you"

"I need to smash my PB on the big one, the 15 lap. I'm doing hard training for the 2 hours, then will do the 15 lap and see if I can smash it after all that work. If I can, I stand a good chance at beating the record in a few weeks" she's looking anxious and excited and I just want to scoop her up in to my arms. "Have you seen Oscar? I noticed he's not with you all" she's looking over towards the rest of the guys warming up

"No, Cal said he cancelled apparently, and that he'll see us later. Not sure what that's all about. So, you going to warm me up babygirl?... on the track, don't look so scared" I joke, she doesn't look scared at all, although I'd definitely warm her up another way if she'd let me.

"Come on then hotshot, let's see how much you've been keeping up with your training whilst you've been gone eh"

Bex puts me through my paces, she's working me really hard, I can't believe how much she's improved. By the time I head back to the guys, I'm lucky if I can throw the damn ball.

"I think I'm going to ask Bex to train you all in the art of running and stamina ladies" coach jokes when he sees what she's done to me.

I look back to Bex, and she's sprinting down the track again. I really need to keep an eye on her, she could easily overdo it.

"What's going on"? Joe is standing infront of me staring back and forth between me and Bex. f**k, he caught me staring, her twin brother caught me out, s**t.

"Nothing man, what do you mean" play it cool I tell myself.

"You, Bex, you staring at Bex all the god damn time. You in love with her Mike"?

"Nah dude, she's with Oscar, happily, sickly, in love" I try to sound convincing.

"Whatever man" he's not convinced. I'm going to have to be careful.

After practice, I notice Bex start off on the track, and start my stopwatch automatically. I used to time her before I left so I guess it's stuck with me.

She's on her 7th lap when we start heading off the field and I check my watch, s**t she's flying. I think she might just do this.

I stop just back a bit from the finish point and watch. 9th lap.

"s**t" I mutter under my breath.

"Problem Torres" coach asks as he looks at Bex.

"She's going to do it coach, beat her PB after that crazy tough session"

"She hasn't let up from what I've seen... she's going too fast to keep that pace up till the end" Coach sounds very matter of fact, but I'm not convinced. I've seen Bex train for years, I know she can keep up the pace.

He's just watching now as she heads towards us. She still looking strong, like she could do it all again. As she crosses the line, I stop my watch and stare at her. She jumps in to my arms and throws her legs around me as I spin her around.

"You did it baby girl" I whisper in her ear. I could kiss her now, but I don't of course.

"OK, put her down Torres. Bros turn!" Joe grabs her out of my arms.

"You did it sis, you're going to smash it" he kisses her on the forehead and I grab her bag for her. We head back to school, and meet up in the canteen once everyone is showered. There's still no sign of Oscar.